United News of Bangladesh

The upward trend in inward remittances continued and 56.3 percent growth in January, with receiving over US $1.86 billion in 17 days of the month. Bangladesh received $18.12 billion in inward remittances from July to January 17, 2026, in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. It was 14.96 billion in the same period of the previous FY2024-25, and saw a growth of 21.1 percent. Read more: Stocks surge at DSE, CSE on strong buying as week opens Blessed by strong remittances, Bangladesh’s gross forex reserves have surpassed $33 billion, up from $29 billion under the IMF’s BPM6 standard. Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, said the expatriates have sent $1.86 billion in the first 17 days of January 2026, which was $1.19 million in the same period of January 2025. It means the remittance earnings grew by 56.3 percent in this time. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. In FY2025-26, Bangladesh received $2.47 billion in remittances in July, $2.42 billion in August, $2.68 billion in September, $2.56 billion in October, $2.88 billion in November, and $3.22 billion in December. Read more: NBR launches automated system easing compliance for importers This data revealed that the average inward remittance flow was over $2.42 billion in the last six months. This robust flow of remittance influences Bangladeshi policymakers to discourage lending from the IMF with tough conditions.

Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves have reached $26.38 billion, according to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank. The gross reserve, which reflects the total stock of foreign currency holdings, is one of the key indicators of a country's economic stability. Bangladesh Bank has confirmed that the figure has remained steady amidst ongoing economic adjustments and policy reforms. In addition to the gross reserve, the central bank also calculates reserves based on the International Monetary Fund’s Balance of Payments Manual 6 (BPM6), which now places the reserve at $21.11 billion. This method excludes various non-liquid assets, offering a more conservative estimate. Bangladesh’s forex reserves cross $25 billion ahead of Eid Bangladesh Bank further maintains a net reserve figure—calculated by deducting short-term liabilities from the gross—which has recently surpassed $15 billion. This figure, while not previously disclosed publicly, has gained significance due to IMF requirements. The IMF recently hailed Bangladesh for achieving a net reserve level exceeding $16 billion, a critical benchmark for releasing the next tranche of the $4.7 billion loan programme. Central bank sources suggest the required level could be maintained through June, paving the way for the release of two installments together. Scientists uncover ancient insect preserved in amber that snatched its prey Arif Hossain Khan, Executive Director and Spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, reiterated that the institution employs multiple methods to monitor reserves for internal and external reporting, including gross, BPM6-based and net reserves. END/UNB/AI/SAM